Neighborhood Handyman Charged With Kidnapping, Molesting Toddler

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Neighborhood Handyman Charged With Kidnapping, Molesting Toddler

A 55-year-old Los Angeles man was due in court Tuesday on charges alleging he kidnapped a toddler from a Boyle Heights party and sexually molested her.

Edward Lopez was taken into custody early Nov. 17, 2013, after allegedly sexually molesting a toddler. He had been beaten, but police would not comment on the suspect’s condition. (Credit: RMG News)

Edward Lopez, who was described as a handyman in the neighborhood where his alleged 3-year-old victim lives, was set to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon in the downtown Los Angeles criminal justice center.

The mother of a 3-year-old girl noticed the child was missing from a party in the 3200 block of Malabar Street at about 11 p.m. Saturday, Los Angeles Police Department officials said.

Several hours later, officers found Lopez nude in a nearby locked garage with the child, who was initially described as having been unharmed.

Lopez had been beaten before he was taken into custody and driven away in an ambulance, video of the scene showed. Police would not elaborate on the suspect’s condition at the time of his arrest.

Lopez was charged with one court each of oral copulation of a child under 10, kidnapping to commit a lewd act, and a lewd act on a child, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

The prosecutor was expected to ask for Lopez’s bail to be set at $1 million.